Watch the trailer for Jeremy Renner film about late Sacramento reporter Gary Webb

Focus Features has released the first trailer for “Kill the Messenger,” in which Modesto native and two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner plays late Carmichael resident and Capitol investigative reporter Gary Webb. The movie is scheduled for release in October.

Focus Features has released the first trailer for “Kill the Messenger,” in which Modesto native and two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner plays late Carmichael resident and Capitol investigative reporter Gary Webb. The movie is scheduled for release in October.

Webb covered the Capitol for the San Jose Mercury News, and in 1996 wrote its “Dark Alliance” series alleging links between the CIA and the 1980s crack cocaine market. Other publications disputed Webb’s findings. The Mercury News reassigned Webb to its Cupertino bureau, and he left the paper in 1997.

Webb later worked for the state Assembly as a committee consultant, and for the Sacramento News & Review. He committed suicide in 2004.

The film was directed by Michael Cuesta, one-time executive producer of the Showtime CIA drama “Homeland.”